Know your genre: What kind of movies does SALC have? What kinds do you like the most? What are some advantages of choosing to watch TV series rather than a full movie?

Read a review of this movie (English or Japanese). Read the plot of the movie on the Internet; Watch the trailer on the Internet! Watch the same movie in Japanese; If the movie is based on a book, read the book (English or Japanese)*

At least once! More for better results: All at once, then scenes; By breaking the movie into smaller parts (10-15 minutes at a time; beginning/middle/end; every significant scene…)

Set yourself a goal! (e.g., learn 5 new expressions; understand one scene without subtitles etc); Try NOT to use subtitles right away. Pause after scenes to summarize what happened (orally or written). Check understanding of parts with a friend; Transcription: Scene or whole.

For vocabulary and grammar Use the context for inference; Focus on the context and vocabulary used; Try to remember the phrases used often Repeat the lines with the characters; Act out a scene with a friend! Use quotes from movies in your speech; Try using functional phrases and back channel as the characters For pronunciation and speaking

Turn on subtitles; Find a script on the Internet; or use SALC developed workbook for DVD Have a more proficient English speaker check with you

If interested: Read a review, a book, or learn about some topic related to the movie! Learn about the actors; Write your own review for a website: Summary, your impressions, and recommendations; Talk about the movie at the Practice Center; Memorize a few lines or act out a scene from the movie; Be creative: Write a short story with an alternative ending; or describe the feelings of a character….

Characters: I’m familiar with “Friends”, so I recognize Joey (actor/comedian) Ross (paleontologist/too serious/target of all jokes); Rachel (Ross’ girlfriend, mother of his baby daughter); Monica (Ross’ sister/cook/very bossy) Chandler (goofy friend/married to Monica) Phoebe (simply goofy). I can try transcribing.

Pay attention to the intonation: but I was able to get everyone passes to the entire conference! That’s right! we are gonna want to do, you know, island stuff So, we’ll---see you guys tomorrow! Understanding context: Why does Ross use different voice and tone when talking to his daughter? Why are people laughing?

Inferring vocabulary and its use: “Pull some strings” ”do island stuff” Let’s do it! Paying attention to pragmatics: How do Ross’ friends explain that they do not want to hear all lectures? How are they trying not to hurt his feelings? How does Ross end the conversation to show he want to leave (“we gotta go/ see you guys…)

Choose one of the strategies above, and try it out with a scene from a movie.